Panthers Run Defense: The Easiest Fade In The NFL

The Carolina Panthers' rushing defense is absolutely disgraceful. But, it's lots of fun for opposing running backs.

Carolina's trash D-Line may seem like just another way the Panthers suck, but it’s also worth noting for your anytime TD bets and fantasy football matchups. I'll break down how to take advantage:

Fade The Panthers For Your Touchdown Props

I’ve found the infinite money glitch: bet against the Panthers rushing defense. Carolina has allowed an astounding 32 touchdowns to opposing running backs since the start of last season (in 21 games). Obviously, that’s the highest number in football.

I’ve been betting anytime TDs against Carolina through a lot of this run, and it’s been a pretty safe play so far in 2024. Here are the four RB1s that the Panthers have faced this season and their anytime TD odds.

The only guy who didn’t cash their TD prop was White, but Vegas RB2 Alex Mattison (+230) found the end zone in that one, anyway.

If you bet the opposing RB1 to score an anytime TD every game against the Panthers so far this season, you’d be up 2.8 units. Here are Carolina’s upcoming matchups with the RB I’ll be targeting for a touchdown:

why Is Carolina's Rushing D So Bad?

I'm pretty sure the Panthers' issue is just a lack of talent, not coaching. Current Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was Denver's DC the year before joining the Panthers, and that Broncos defense had a top-10 rushing defense. When you look at the talent in Carolina's DL and LB room, it's pretty clear that's where the problem lies.

Of Carolina's seven starting defensive lineman and linebackers right now, just one (A'Shawn Robinson) has a PFF grade over 60.0 — which isn't a particularly high mark. A few guys have ratings below 40.0, making them some of the worst starters in football. This Panthers defense was already bad, and then they lost DE Derrick Brown to injury in Week 1 — arguably their best player. Things went from really bad to really, really, really, bad.

Fade Panthers vs Fantasy Running Backs, Too

You can make a pretty penny by betting on RB scores against the Panthers. But, basically any kind of RB play against Carolina works, too.

The Panthers have allowed the second-most RB rushing yards per game this season (126.5) and the most fantasy points against to RBs (26.4 per game). Here are the defenses that have allowed the most fantasy points against this season, through four weeks:

Opposing RB1 have had at least 10.4 fantasy points against the Panthers every week this season. Alex Mattison is the only guy to have fewer than 13.8, so far.